Making the most of your free time is no doubt important to you. After all, the stresses of work and family life can take their toll and so relaxing and doing something enjoyable when you have some minutes or hours to spare is important.

You may be among those who enjoy getting out and about when you have the chance.

After all, losing the noise and pollution of built-up areas and escaping to the great outdoors can really benefit many individuals.

But simply going for walks in parks or the countryside may not appeal to you. In this case, maybe you should consider bird watching.

The UK has a plethora of species of such animals filling its skies, dotting its hedgerows and lining the branches of its trees.

When it comes to choosing the perfect pair of binoculars, it can be difficult to know what will suit your needs best.

Some people are inclined to go for the biggest and most expensive objects as they automatically think they will be the best.

In some cases this may be true, however, it is crucial that you assess your specific requirements when opting for one product over the others.

It is true that larger binoculars can be preferable in many circumstances.

For example, binoculars with wider front lenses allow more light to enter and so produce clearer images. In addition, because their field of view is broader, you are less likely to lose sight of what you are focussing on.

This can be beneficial in many circumstances and can enhance your experiences using the objects.

However, in some cases compact versions of the product are more suitable. For example, if you are taking the viewing devices on long walks, you may want smaller and lighter versions.

Such alternatives are much easier to transport and you may be wise to sacrifice some of the visual qualities for these practical benefits.

After all, there is no point in having large binoculars if you will be tempted to leave them in the car or at home when you embark on your adventures simply because you cannot face the prospect of carrying them around.

Indeed, some of the largest pairs may need a tripod in order for you to be able to use them comfortably and this can be particularly unwieldy if you intend your item to be mobile.

When you invest in a pair of binoculars, you no doubt want them to last for as long as possible.

After all, some versions of the items are not cheap and there is no point in wasting your hard-earned cash on a product that only works for a short period of time.

Bearing this in mind, you should assess the durability of the devices in the context of the environment in which you intend to use them.

For example, you may be seeking binoculars that you will simply utilise in your back garden to do a spot of bird watching.

Obviously, such items need not be particularly hard-wearing since they are unlikely to be subjected to harsh weather conditions or other potential hazards.

However, if you wish to use the products for hunting or other outdoor activities, you may want to consider getting waterproof versions.

If you are caught in a rain storm, there may be no choice but for the devices to come into contact with water.

This is also the case of products that are going to be used on boats. In such instances it is not only water from the skies that may cause problems, but also spray from the sea or river on which you are travelling that can affect your binoculars.

If you fail to get waterproof items, you may find the devices fog when they get wet or, even worse, cease to work.

On a more general theme, waterproof products are also less likely to have their lenses damaged by dust or dirt.

When you are buying a pair of binoculars, there are many things you should bear in mind.

These include the magnification you require, how large you want the objects to be, whether they need to be waterproof and how much they cost.

All these issues are crucial and neglecting one of them can leave you feeling unsatisfied with your choice.

Another, perhaps less obvious, aspect of such purchases you may want to consider is trying the items out to see how they feel.

If possible, it helps to pick the binoculars up and see whether or not they seem right in your hands.

After all, it is crucial that you feel comfortable using the device and are able to transport it in the necessary way.

You may spend hours at a time using the product and if it feels awkward to hold, this could lessen your enjoyment of the experience. Indeed, it may be enough to put you off altogether.

No one wants to suffer discomfort while making use of the devices.

If you take the time to conduct investigations into how they feel to hold, you will be able to ensure you get an item that is perfect for you.

This means that whether you use them for watching birds, hunting, viewing scenery in the countryside or for any other reason, you will not be distracted by niggles about the ergonomics of your binoculars.

So, before rushing into getting a pair, make sure you have considered how they would feel to hold and, if possible, try them out first.

With the festive season around the corner, your thoughts may be turning to what gifts you will buy your nearest and dearest.

Selecting appropriate items can be a tricky business, particularly if you are devoid of inspiration. After all, with birthdays and the festive season coming around each year, it can be hard to keep buying items that will be appreciated.

One option you might want to consider is that of astronomical telescopes. For those who have an interest in the stars and planets, this could be a fantastic offering.

It may provide them with many hours of entertainment and could be the start of a new hobby for them. Such a present may be totally unexpected and prove a hit with the recipient.